Joe Cordina v Anthony Cacace: Tale of the Tape: Weight, height, reach, trainer & professional boxing records

We analyse the credentials and statistics of Joe Cordina and Anthony Cacace as the super-featherweights battle it out for the IBF world title on the undercard of Tyson Fury v Oleksandr Usyk in May.

On Saturday 18th May, an undisputed heavyweight champion will be crowned as Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk battle it out for all the marbles.

If that was not enough, fight fans will be treated to a battle of Britain as Joe Cordina (1/6) defends his IBF super-featherweight strap against Anthony Cacace (4/1).

With the eyes of the world on Saudi Arabia, who will seize the opportunity to shine in front of a global audience?

It's time to look at the 'Tale of the Tape'...
 

Joe Cordina v Anthony Cacace
Tale of the Tape

	Joe Cordina	Anthony Cacace
Odds:	1/6	4/1
Age:	32	35
Nickname:	N/A	'The Apache'
Height:	5ft 9ins	5ft 10ins
Reach:	69ins	N/A
Weight:	Super-featherweight	Super-featherweight
Trainer:	Tony Sims	Ian Mahood
Record:	17-0 (9 KOs)	21-1 (7 KOs)
Last Fight:	Won - (MD) v Edward Vasquez (November 2023)	Won - (UD) v Damian Wrzesinski (May 2023)

Joe Cordina
In Profile

Over the past two years, Joe Cordina has become a must-watch fighter.

In 2022, the Welshman captured the IBF super-featherweight title with a highlight-reel knockout of Kenichi Ogawa, in the second round.

Cordina had been scheduled to defend his strap against, mandatory challenger, Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov, but was stripped of the belt when a hand injury forced him to withdraw from the fight.

In March of last year, the Rio 2016 Olympian had the opportunity to win back the title against the man from Tajikistan. The bout was a war.

Cordina showed heart, grit and determination to grind out a hard-fought victory, having been hurt on several occasions.

The 32-year-old’s first defence was almost as gruelling, as he battled Edward Vasquez. Despite landing hard counters, Cordina was unable to halt the relentless march forward of the challenger, but did just enough to prevail on the scorecards.

After a one-punch knockout and two fight of the year contenders, what will Cordina produce against Cacace?

Strengths:	Weaknesses:
Hand speed	Stays in range too long
Timing	Can be dragged into a war
Feints	Has been outworked in rounds
Use of angles	Keeps his hands too low at times

Anthony Cacace
In Profile

If you talk to Carl Frampton or Michael Conlan, they will wax lyrical about Anthony Cacace.

The 35-year-old has helped both of Belfast’s highest-profile boxers of the last decade prepare for fights in the past. On every occasion, he has wowed his more illustrious sparring partners with his ability.

For all his skill, the career of the ‘The Apache’ has never really caught fire. Over the course of 12 years, he has only had 21 fights, and just three in the last 48 months.

For all his success in the gym, Cacace can be a frustrating figure. His low punch output can make rounds closer than they need to be.

Despite his imposing frame at the weight, the current IBO titlist, fails to utilise it as he fights out of a crouch, while his head occasionally falls over the front foot.

For all his flaws, Cacace is still a skilful operator who has only suffered a sole loss, and even that was contentious.

The Belfast man challenged for the British and Commonwealth 130lbs belts, against Martin J Ward, in 2017. There was not much to separate both men and ultimately it came down to whether you preferred Cacace’s accuracy or the work rate of the Englishman, with the three judges favouring the latter.

In recent years, Cacace has been in fine form, recording wins over Sam Bowen (for the British title), Leon Woodstock and Michael Magnesi.

A win over Cordina could change Cacace’s life, but the big question is whether will he finally be able to replicate the ability he has shown in sparring under the bright lights?

Strengths:	Weaknesses:
Upper body movement	Keeps his lead hand too low
Timing	Low punch output
Counter-punching	Stays in range too long
Switch-hitting	Doesn't use his height to his advantage

All odds displayed within this article were correct at the time of writing and are subject to fluctuation.